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Environment Canada had issued a special weather statement for Toronto on Wednesday afternoon ahead of Thursday’s snowfall. While five to 10 centimetres were projected, Environment Canada says a total of four cm. fell on Thursday. Light snow continued through the day Friday.

As of Friday evening, the special weather statement remained in effect for a mix of precipitation, expected to move towards the Golden Horseshoe. Four to eight cm. of snow are expected to fall by Saturday afternoon.

Toronto Police reported several minor collisions Friday, including a vehicle that spun out on the road, but said things were “surprisingly” calm considering the conditions. Only minor injuries were sustained as a result of these collisions.

For those that rushed to the shops at the last minute, the snow wasn’t the only thing that caused delays; according to Interac, Friday was expected to be the busiest shopping day of the year. Interac projected there could be as many as 25 million debit transactions performed on Friday alone.

The figure comes from an online survey of Canadian residents, 40 per cent of whom say the financial pressure of the holidays is one of the aspects they dislike the most. The absolute worst thing about the holidays? According to 68 per cent of Canadians surveyed, it’s the crowded stores and malls.

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Shoppers looking to pick up last-minute items for the holidays should be aware of stores operating on reduced schedules. Most things are closed on Christmas Day. Folks looking to do final errands should double-check local store times before heading out.

Here’s a cheat sheet:

Liquor

<bullet> The LCBO will be open regular hours, but close at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The stores will be closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and reopen for regular business on Dec. 27.

<bullet> The Beer Store will operate its usual hours on Christmas Eve, and close for Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Malls

<bullet> The Toronto Eaton Centre will be open Christmas Eve until 5 p.m. The mall will remain closed on Christmas Day, but reopen at 7 a.m. on Boxing Day for shoppers looking to snag some deals. The mall will close at 9:30 p.m. that day.

<bullet> Yorkdale will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The mall will be closed on Christmas Day, and reopen on Boxing Day at 8 a.m. and closing at 11 p.m.

<bullet> Sherway Gardens will be open on Christmas Eve from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The mall will be closed on Christmas Day. Sherway will reopen at 8 a.m. on Boxing Day and will close at 8 p.m.

Grocery stores

<bullet> Sobey’s will be closed on Christmas Day, and open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Boxing Day.

<bullet> No Frills stores may vary by location, but all locations will be closed on Christmas Day and shut early on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.

<bullet> Loblaws will close on Christmas Day and shut early on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.

<bullet> Metro will be closing at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve, and will reopen at 9 a.m. on Boxing Day. Boxing Day hours vary by location.

<bullet> Longo’s will be closed on Christmas Day and operate on a reduced schedule on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.

Banks

Banks vary in their opening times, so double-check with your local branch to see what its hours are. All banks will be closed on Christmas Day and some will be closed Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, too.

Canada Post will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. That means local branches will be closed, and there will be no mail service.

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